Kangar, Malaysia: travel guide
A quiet base in Perlis, near limestone caves and Thai border markets
Malaysia's smallest state capital, in Perlis near the Thai border, a quiet base for Perlis State Park's limestone hills and caves.
About Kangar
Kangar is the capital of Perlis, Malaysia's smallest state, and sits near the Thai border in the far north-west of the peninsula. It is a modest town, mostly useful as a base for what surrounds it rather than a destination in itself.
The nearby Perlis State Park protects limestone hills and caves, including Gua Kelam, which can be explored on a walkway. The Wang Kelian viewpoint and its weekend market near the border add a cultural side to the trip, and the local mosque, Masjid Alwi, is the town's landmark.
Kangar suits road-trippers and nature walkers heading up or down the west coast. It is warm all year, and the drier period from about December to March is the easiest for caves and viewpoints.
- Country
- Malaysia
- Currency
- MYR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
- Nearest airport
- AOR
Last updated
Top places to visit in Kangar
Wang Kelian Market
Market · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Weekly cross-border market at the Malaysia-Thailand frontier, straddling both sides, notably busy on Sundays.
Masjid Alwi (Alwi Mosque)
Mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Perlis's historic state mosque built 1931-1933 in Mughal-influenced style, named after Raja Syed Alwi.
Wang Kelian View Point
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop viewpoint on the Malaysia-Thailand border at ~304m elevation, known for sunrise "sea of clouds" views.
Gua Kelam (Kelam Cave)
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
370m former tin-mining tunnel through a limestone hill in Kaki Bukit, with a lit walkway and suspension bridge exit into a valley.
Kompleks Sukan Tuanku Syed Putra
Activity · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Perlis's main state sports complex, hosting athletics, football and multi-sport events.
Perlis State Park (Taman Negeri Perlis)
Nature · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Protected forest reserve over the Nakawan limestone range, home to over 70 mammal species and the rare stump-tailed macaque.
Bukit Kubu Recreational Forest
Nature · 4.0 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Recreational forest with caves, limestone formations, scenic viewpoints and Tasik Puteri Kayangan lake.
Padang Besar Border Market
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Duty-free border town with Malaysia's largest border market complex, popular for cross-border shopping via the rail/road checkpoint.
Pengkalan Asam Trails Recreational Park
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Riverside recreational park with walking trails, observation huts, and a canopy hanging bridge over the Perlis River.
Gua Wang Burma (Wang Burma Cave)
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Limestone cave within Perlis State Park's Wang Kelian section, known for stalactite/stalagmite formations.
Arau Royal Gallery
Museum · 4.9 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Small gallery beside the Perlis Royal Palace displaying royal artefacts of the Perlis royal family; visits by advance request.
Kuala Perlis Jetty Town
Cultural · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Fishing-port town west of Kangar, departure point for the Langkawi ferry, known for stilted seafood restaurants and the "floating mosque".
Things to do
- Gua Kelam Cave Walk Adventure · 0.8 h · from MYR 5 per person
- Wang Kelian Border Market Shopping Trip Cultural · 2.5 h
- Perlis State Park Jungle Trek Nature · 4 h · from MYR 5 per person
- Padang Besar Duty-Free Shopping Trip Sightseeing · 4 h
- Kuala Perlis to Langkawi Ferry Day Trip Sightseeing · 1.3 h · from MYR 25 per person
Where to stay in Kangar
Hotels
- Noor Boutique Hotel 5-star · MYR 120 to MYR 220 per night
- Megastar Inn Vacation 4-star · MYR 90 to MYR 150 per night
- P Motel 4-star · MYR 65 to MYR 110 per night
- Federal Hotel Kangar Perlis MYR 60 to MYR 100 per night
- The Putra Regency Hotel 3-star · MYR 110 to MYR 180 per night
- Hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar 3-star · MYR 80 to MYR 140 per night
Where to eat
- Restoran Anjung Keli Malaysian · about MYR 11 per person
- Kuala Perlis Seafood Restaurant Seafood · about MYR 27 per person
- Mai Cafe Herbal Kopitiam Malaysian, Kopitiam · about MYR 11 per person
- AnaBurger D Cafe Cafe, Fast Food · about MYR 11 per person
- Hameed Nasi Kandar Malaysian, Indian-Muslim · about MYR 11 per person
- Tokwi Grand Char Koew Teow Chinese · about MYR 11 per person
- Ah Beng Asam Laksa Chinese, Malaysian · about MYR 11 per person
- Restoran Suri Masakan Melayu Asli Traditional Malay · about MYR 11 per person
Getting to Kangar
Nearest airport: Alor Setar (AOR), about 36 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
- Ride Hail
- Walking